Lighter knob effort control using a compressively resilient pad

Abstract

The present invention provides a control knob assembly for a register that is used in a blower of an HVAC system of an automobile. The assembly includes a knob portion having an open side for receiving a vane of the register in snap fit engagement. The vane of the register includes a notched portion disposed on a rear edge thereof. A compressively resilient pad is disposed in the notched portion and extends outwardly beyond the rear edge to contact an inner surface of the knob portion and provide a snug fit between the vane and the knob portion. During manipulation of the vane by the user, the compressively resilient pad does not compress resulting in a consistently stable and robust feeling experienced by the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to control knobs for air conditioner registers and more particularly to a control knob that provides enhanced stability between the control knob and the air register resulting in a more robust and quality design. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In heating and cooling systems for automobiles it is desirable to control the direction of air emitted through the air vents so the vehicle operator can control the spatial heating or cooling of the vehicle. [0003] Typically an operating lever or control knob is provided for adjusting the angle orientation of the vane or vanes of the air vent to control the direction of airflow. [0004] Examples of operating levers for controlling the direction of airflow through an air vent are disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. JP10250357 and JP0418246. The '357 reference discloses an operating lever of the sort in FIG. 6 wherein a silicone pad 27 is disposed between the front edge of a vane of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A compressively resilient pad is dimensioned to be received into the notched portion formed at the rear edge of the vane. The pad extends outwardly beyond the rear edge of the vane when seated within the notched portion. The portion of the pad that extends beyond the rear edge is operative to contact a first portion of the inner surface of the control knob. In this fashion the compressively resilient pad is operative to consistently urge the front edge of the vane into contact with a second portion of the inner surface of the control knob such that the user experiences a more robust and stable feel when controlling the knob to adjust the direction of airflow through the air vent.

Problems solved by technology

By constructing the operating levers in the manner disclosed in either of these references, compression forces act on the compressively resilient pad disposed between the control knob and the vane during manipulation that result in the user experiencing an unstable feeling at the operating lever.

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